Thousands of children will miss lessons as a walk out by school staff forces many schools to close and leaves others in chaos.

Hundreds of schools across the region are expected to close as caretakers, support staff, administrators and dinner ladies strike next Wednesday in protest at Government plans to cut their pensions.

All primary schools in South Tyneside will close if the action goes ahead as planned.

Other local authorities have left the decisions about closure up to headteachers and governors.

Union bosses have called on all headteachers to close their schools in the interest of health and safety.

Kenny Bell, Unison's Newcastle branch secretary said: "The majority of non-teaching staff are Unison members and will not be working that day, other unions have told us their members will not cross picket lines.

"Headteachers have to draw up a risk assessment to see if it is safe to open the school without key staff - it is impossible for them to do that accurately.

"It would be much safer and easier for parents if councils took the decision to close all the schools.

"Our workers aren't on a big wage, and the pension makes the job attractive. The plans for pensions are an attack on our future."

A spokesman for Newcastle City Council said: "The majority of the city's schools are expected to close, however parents are advised to contact their child's school to check the situation if they have not been informed."

The National Union of Teachers is currently balloting members over a strike on April 26. A spokesman for the NUT said: "Sixty not 65 should be the normal pension age for teachers. Teachers cannot and will not accept this worsening of their pension and benefits scheme".